Did you know that the primrose was Shakespeare’s favourite flower? This little flower is mentioned in several of the famous playwright’s productions, including Hamlet and The Winter’s Tale. There’s so much history stuffed into this tiny blossom, so let’s dive in!
According to Shakespeare, the primrose represented early death, particularly the early death of young women. When a young and unmarried woman died prematurely, a garland of primroses would be hung over her grave.
Shakespeare also created the term “primrose path,” which is a way in life that is easy, effortless and covered in flowers. He used this phrase in Hamlet and Macbeth.
A Scottish legend states that if you want to see a fairy, you have to eat a primrose. The flower also offered a protection against evil spirits if you put them on your doorstep, and if you placed a primrose in your cowshed, it would stop fairies from stealing your milk.
Primroses were also believed to have medicinal properties. People believed that they were good painkillers, helped with stomach and abdominal pain (antispasmodic), and would help clear your body of sodium and water (diuretic). These claims were mostly false, but primroses are edible and are a nutritious addition to diets.
Primroses also represent eternal love, as well as youth, renewal and optimism. In Victorian times, the gift of a primrose flower symbolised young love. In Norse mythology, they’re a symbol of the goddess of love, Freya.
Unfortunately, primroses are dying out. They are over-picked, and global warming has also been a contributing factor to their decline. So if you see one of these beautiful little flowers in the wild, leave them alone and appreciate them from afar!
